The Vizsla is a popular breed growing in demand in the United States. Originating in Hungary, this dog is a vision with their bright red coat and alert expression. Despite being on the larger side, Vizlas are as gentle as they come and are renowned for being playful yet gentle with children. Of course, each dog’s individual personality will affect how suitable they are for kids, and the children’s personalities will also have an effect. Here, we explore how good the Vizsla is with children of all ages and the activities that they can do together.
What Is the Vizsla Like?
The Hungarian Vizsla is a breed made for retrieving.1 They were first bred in Hungary, with references to the breed dating back to 1357. The dog held a special place in hunters’ hearts as a friendly and incredibly companionable sporting dog. They are smart, stubborn, and full of energy, so they need plenty of exercise to keep their minds sharp and their bodies relaxed. This is an important factor when considering pairing this breed with kids!
Vizslas are very much “people” dogs. They cannot bear to be apart from their families and love to be involved in everything they do, so that needs to be considered if you have a job that keeps you away from home. The good thing about this is that you’ll always have an eager companion with you on the school run, and your children will have an agile and enthusiastic playmate!
These dogs are sociable and friendly and are typically ideal for families with children and other pets. This will depend on their socialization as a puppy, of course, but well-socialized Vizslas are usually perfectly comfortable being overly loving to cats, other dogs, and other pets.
What Is the Vizsla Like With Children?
Almost all Vizslas adore the children they have the fortune to meet. The busy buzz of family life won’t put off well-socialized Vizslas, and they’ll often be there to celebrate birthdays and other milestones alongside your child. Older kids who can train them will learn how loving and intelligent the breed is, and they’ll also find a best friend and confidant.
Smaller children can fare well with them, too, but they may not be the best pairing with this breed. The Vizsla is extremely energetic and sometimes doesn’t know their own strength, so the concern would be around accidentally knocking small kids over or being overly enthusiastic.2 This worry can be mitigated with constant supervision, but waiting until your children are big enough to dodge a joyful knock from these loving dogs is best.
Older children can take an active role in the care and training of a Vizsla, and many will find the dog to be a loyal and unwavering presence in their lives. Sports are excellent opportunities for older children to connect with their pup, and the Vizsla often excels at canine sports, such as agility. These dogs love to run free (most of them need to), so biking or jogging is another opportunity for kids to get outdoors with their pets.
Due to their intelligence, Vizslas can be stubborn. The children should get involved with training the dogs as much as possible to show them who’s the leader, but they should remember to use positive training methods and never frighten or hurt their pet.
What Activities Can Kids Do With Vizslas?
Children can do so many activities with dogs that we can’t list them all here, which is amazing! However, we can list a few activities that a retrieving breed like the Vizsla will likely love:
- Hide and seek
- Find the treat: Hiding treats around the home for your Vizsla to sniff out and your child to spot
- Racing in the yard
- Hide and seek with treats: Your child holds the treat and hides while you wait with your Vizsla; then you let them “track” your child, and they get rewarded with a treat when they find them
- Chasing toys with a toy tied to the end of a long rope
- Frisbee or soccer in the yard
Activities for older children and their Vizsla include:
- Hiking
- Agility or obedience competitions
- Kids’ dog shows
- Jogging
- Dog classes, such as obedience
It’s crucial to ensure that your activity is age-appropriate for your Vizsla and the kids, as younger children could accidentally get injured by your dog hurtling around them, and puppies that are still growing should not over-exercise, as it can affect how their bones and joints grow.
What Are the Downsides to Having a Vizsla With Kids?
While the charms of the loving Vizsla are well known, there are other traits that don’t mesh well with a busy household. These dogs are energetic and need hours of exercise a day. They also need the opportunity to run full-tilt daily, so they will need more than just a quick walk around the block whenever you’re not busy.
They are also attached to their owner and can get separation anxiety. If you take your children to sports or other activities that take you out of the home for long periods, your dog will likely be unhappy.
The Vizsla’s beautiful coat is short and has no undercoat, so they don’t need extensive grooming. However, they must be brushed once a week to remove any shed hair. Children can get involved with the grooming of their dog, which can be an excellent bonding activity.
Which Breeds Are Good With Children?
Many canines are known for being good with children, and they all have their individual quirks and temperaments. The type of dog that you choose depends on their looks and temperament and how well they get on with kids, so think about what would fit your family’s life best. Child-friendly breeds include:
Conclusion
The Vizsla is a loyal, energetic dog as loving as they are devoted to family. They are a medium-large breed that brims with enthusiasm, so they’re the perfect companion for older children to get into mischief with. While small children certainly don’t phase most Vizslas, the energy and size of the dog may be too much for tiny kids. Children can enjoy plenty of activities with their pup, which will be happiest around their family.
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Featured Image Credit: Barna Tanko, Shutterstock
